as in preparatory
coming before the main part or item usually to introduce or prepare for what follows
we need to do some preliminary research in order to properly focus the experiment
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in prelude
a performance, activity, or event that precedes and sets the stage for the main event
a meeting to discuss seating arrangements that was merely a preliminary to the formal negotiating sessions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of preliminary
Eric Stephens, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Second round eliminations are based on the cumulative voting in both preliminary rounds.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 21 Nov. 2025
On Friday night at Jean K. Freeman Aquatics Center in Minneapolis, Mounds View senior Ellie Bina not only put up a personal best but blew the competition out of the water during the girls swimming Class 2A state preliminaries.
—Andrew Cornelius, Twin Cities, 15 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Adjective
Given an extended break from hockey, Jim Hiller and Anže Kopitar didn’t make an appointment to watch last Friday’s Switzerland-Canada preliminary round game at the Olympics.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Second round eliminations are based on the cumulative voting in both preliminary rounds.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
Noun
The contestant from Jamaica, Gabrielle Henry, took a scary tumble during the evening gown round at Wednesday’s preliminaries and was carried away in a stretcher, according to social media videos which circulated of her fall.
—Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 21 Nov. 2025
On Friday night at Jean K. Freeman Aquatics Center in Minneapolis, Mounds View senior Ellie Bina not only put up a personal best but blew the competition out of the water during the girls swimming Class 2A state preliminaries.
—Andrew Cornelius, Twin Cities, 15 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preliminary
Adjective
-
After studying his own practice, Licklider determined that as much as 85% of his intellectual work — such as searching for data, running calculations, testing conclusions, and synthesizing information — was fundamentally preparatory for deeper, more creative efforts.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
9 Feb. 2026
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But those who supported the proposal saw it as an opportunity to plan ahead for that possibility, signal the county's values and show solidarity with area residents who are fearful and asking for preparatory action.—
Claudia Levens,
jsonline.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Pentagon worries that an expanding Chinese arsenal could be a prelude to invading Taiwan or an attempt to beat America's missile defenses, Panda said.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
11 Feb. 2026
-
In Puerto Rico, watch parties treated the game as a prelude.—
Martin Silva Rey,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Register now and use coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 20% off.—
Sarah Jackson,
CNBC,
17 Feb. 2026
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But until Brady finally — mercifully — took time during his introductory news conference to praise McDermott, the organization seemed to go out of its way to snub the coach who set its win percentage record.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preliminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preliminary. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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